Show case



Jan. 4,1927. 1 613,188

J. E. MULLE N snow CASE Fild Feb. 11, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lNVENTOR IJOHN E. MULLEH.

Jah. 4, 1927.

J. E. MULLEN SHOWCASE Filed Feb. 1 1926 2' Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan.4, 1927.

JOHN E. IULLEH, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSZGNOR OF ONE-EAL? TO E.1

M M this a JUDELL (it COBTPANY, 01'! $511? FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

SHOEV CASE.

Application filed February 11, 1926.

My invention relates to improvements in show-cases and the like for thedisplay and sale of merchandise wherein a top member is movable upwardlyand rearwardly to give access to the case from the front thereof wherebythe purchaser may select the goods desired.

The present invention is an improvement upon the device disclosed in myco-pending application Serial Number 53,836, filed Sept. 1, 1925, andconsists of an improved construction and arrangement of elements adaptedto obtain a more eifective closure of the case and to obtain a moresimple and eflicient display case.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an improved show casewherein the top member is arranged to efliciently close the top of thecase and to be efiiciently locked against unauthorized opening.

Another object is to provide an improved device of simplifiedconstruction which will be highly-efiicient in operation.

A further object is to provide an improved construction in which themovable top memher is eiiiciently guided along a prescribed path andnormally held against movement other than the normal opening and closingA still further object is to provide an improved construction which maybe more economically manufactured and which will afford increasedstrength and durability.

I accomplish these and other objects by means of the improved devicedisclosed in the drawings fori'ning a part of the present specificationwherein like characters of reference are used to designate similar partstln'o-ughout said specification and drawings and in which,

Fig. 1 is a transverse section of my improved show case vith the topmember in closed position.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section with the top member in fully openedposition.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the case, partly broken away to disclosethe construction.

Fig. 4 is a rear elevation, parts being broken away to show the interiorconstruction. of the case.

Fig. 5 is a broken sectional detail showing the manner in which the topmember enthe guiding cam.

Serial No. 87,582.

Referring to the drawings my invention will be seen to consist of a caseprovided with end members 1 the upper edges of which are inclineddownwardly toward the front of the cabinet. Beads 2 are secured upon theinner sides of the end members 1 parah lel to the top edges thereof andin spaced relation thereto. The beads 2 form acute angles with the frontmember 3 of the case.

The back of the case consists of a fixed portion l extending across thelower portion of the back and a portion 6 pivotally mounted at its loweredge upon the fixed portion 4 by means of suitable hinges 7. Doors 8 and9 are mounted in the back portions 4 and 6 respectively to give accessto the case through the back thereof as hereinafter more fullyexplained. A top member 11 is pivotally connected at its rearward edgeto the top of the movable back portion 6. The top member extendsentirely across the top of the case and normally rests upon the beads 2flush with the upper edges of the end membcls 1. The forward edge of thetop member is beveled as at 12 to fit into the acute angle between theheads 2 and the front member 3 of the case, said beveled edge operatingas a wedge pressing against the front members 8 and forcing the coveriirmly down upon the heads 2 to obtain a tight and substantially dustproof lit. The beveled edge fitting against the front member 3 alsoserves to efficiently lock the top member against pivotal movement whenin closed position as hereinafter more fully explained.

Cams 13 are mounted upon the inner sides of the end members 1 of thecase adjacent the ends of the beads 2, said cams being provided withinwardly extending flanges 1% adapted to be slidably engaged by the topmember 11. The ends of the cams adjacent the beads are arranged with theflange portions slightly spaced from the adjacent ends of the beads andsubstantially aligned therewith.

Retaining members 16 are secured upon the under sides of the top members11 and arranged to engage the heads 2 and the flanges 1%, said members16 being arranged to engage the under sides of said beads and flanges toprevent pivotal movement of the top member 11 independently of itsmovement with the back portions 6 as hereinafter described.

lid

The top member consists of a itrame provided with a transparent pane 11and the front member 3 is preferably provided with a transparent pane 3whereby the contents of the case may be effectively displayed.

Shelves 17 are preferably provided with in the case to supportmerchandise such as boxes of cigars or the like as indicated in dottedlines at 18.

in operation the case is closed by moving the back portion (9 and thetop member 11 to closed position as shown in Fig. 1 ot the drawings. henit is desired to open the case to perm t a purchaser to select goodstherefrom, the back portion 6 is swung rearwardly upon its hinges 7. Therearward movement of the back portion 6 causes the top member 11 to heslid upwardly and rearwardly along the heads 2 and onto the cams orguides 13. As the top member is moved rearwardly it is supported uponthe cams 13 ant as the rearward end is lowered with the back portion 6the forward edge will be elevated a corresponding amount until the topmember is tipped rearwardly to a fully opened position as shown in Fig.2 of the drawings. The members 16 ingthe under sides of the earns 13hold the top 11 in engagement with said cams. As the members 16 approachthe rearward end of the cams 13 said members engage suitable stop 19limiting the movement of said n'iembers and thereby limiting themovement or the top 11 and back portion 6. T he members 16 normallylimit the movement oi the top member 11 to its normal movement by andwith the back portion 6 as above described. said n'iembers beingarranged to engage the beads 2 and the flanges 14 to prevent independentpivotal movement of the top member 11. Should it be desired to swing thetop member 11 entirely away from the case for cleaning or for otherpurpose, the members 16 are moved opposite the spaces 21 providedbetween the adjacent ends of the beads 2 and came 18. iVhen in thisposition the members may be moved through said spaces and the top memberswung independently of the back portion 6 to any desired position.

When the top member 1 is in closed position, the beveled edge wedges thetop firmly against the beads At the same time the beveled edge ellectually locks the top against pivotal movement independent of thenormal moven'ient with the back portion (3. 'lhus any etlort to swingthe top upwardly without a corresponding rearward movement of the backportion 6 will cause said er t e to bear directly against the frontmember I} and thereby e ,tually prevent the trout edge from being swungupwardly even to a very slight degree such as might admit an instrumentfor prying open the case. Suitable locking means 22 are mounted upon theback of the back portion (3 to haul: said portion (3 and the top member11 in closed, position.

in vending goods, the customer is given l'rert access to the merchandisefrom the eve described, thereby permitting .itomer to select theparticular articles desired. The doors 8 and 9 give access to the casewithout moving the top member 11 to open position whereby the attendantmay have convenient access to the case from the rear thereof.

The improved construction above described is extremely simple andellicient. The cams 13 and the beads 2 are simply conrated and easilyapplied upon the inside i: X I of the end members 1 of the case. Thereare no lll'llt or delicate actuating mechanism whatever and no movingparts capable of becoming out of adjustment. The device may thus be madeextremely rugged and as the top member is eliectually guided and held incorrect position at all times the case made substantially fool-proof,and suited to .vithstai'id all ordinary usage and abuse by attendantsand customers.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Let tors Patent is,

l. A new article of manufacture comprising a show-case provided with endportions haying their upper edges inclined downwardly toward the troutot the show-case; supporting beads arranged inside of each end portionparallel to and in spaced relation to said upper edges; a back portionpivotally mounted at its lower edge to said show-case; a top memberpivotally connected to the top edge of the back portion and arranged toextend between the end portions and to rest upon the supporting beads;and n'ieani' on the end portions for guiding the top portion upwardlyand rearwardly to give acc ss to the case when the back portion swungrearwardly upon its pivot mormting.

A new article of manufacture comprising a show-case provided with endportions having their upper edges inclined downwardly toward the frontof the show-case; supporting beads arranged inside of each end portionparallel to and in spaced relation to said upper edges; :1 back portionpivotally mounted at its lower edge to said show-case; a top memberpivotally connected to the top edge of the back portion and arranged toextend between the end portions and to rest upon the supporting beads;and means tor guiding the top portion upwardly and rearwardly to giveaccess to the case when the hack portion is swung reaiwvardly upon pivotmounting; and means for normally preventine: a pivotal .iuovemcnt ot thetop member when the top and back portions are in closed position.

his

A new article of manufacture comprising a show-case provided with endportions having their upper edges inclined downwardly toward the frontof the show-case; supporting beads arranged inside of the end portionsparallel to and in spaced relation to said upper edges; said beadsforming acute angles with the front of the case; a back portionpivotally mounted at its lower edge to said show case; a top. memberpivotally connected to thetop ed 'e of the back portion and arranged toextend between the end portions and to rest upon the sup porting heads,the forward edge of the top member being beveled to fit into the acuteangle between the beads and the front of the case to wedge said topmember against the beads and thereby form a dust proof joint and to lockthe top member agains pivotal movement when said top and back portionsare in closed position; and means on the end portions for guiding thetop member upwardly and rear'wardly to give a cess to the case when theback portion is swung rear' ardly upon its pivot mounting.

i. A new article of manufacture comprising a show-caste provided withend portions having their upper edges inclined downwardly toward thefront of the show-case; supporting beads arranged inside of the endportions parallel to and in spaced relation to said upper edges; a backportion pivotally mounted at its lower edge to said show case; a topmember pivotally connected to the top edge of the back portion andarrange-d to extend between the end portions and to rest upon thesupporting beads; and cams mounted upon the inner sides 01" the endportions adjacent the upper ends of the beads, said cams being arrangedto be slidably engaged by the top member to guide same upwardly andrearwardly to give access to the case when the back portion is swungrearwardly upon its pivot mounting.

A new article of manufacture comprising a show-case provided with endportions having their upper edges inclined downwardly toward the frontof the show-case; supporting beads arranged inside of the end portionsparallel to and in spaced relation to said upper edges; a back portionpivotally mounted at its lower edge to said show case: a top memberpivotally connected to the top edge oi the back portion and arranged toextend between the end portions and to rest upon the supporting heads:and cams mounted upon the inner sides oi the end portions adjacent theupper ends of the heads. said cams being arranged to be slidabl rengaged by the top member to guide same upwardly and 'iearwardly to giveaccess to the case when the back portion swung rearwardlv upon its pivotmounting; and means mounted upon the top portion and arranged to engagethe beads and ie cams lo normally prevent pivotal movement oi the topindependentlyof the movement by and with the back portion.

6. A new article of manufacture comprising a show-c; 5e provided withend portions having their upper edges inclined downwardly towart thefront of the show-case; supporting beads arranged inside of the endportions parallel to and in spaced relation to said upper *dges; a backportion pivott lly mounted at its lower edge to said show use; a topmember pivot-ally connected to the top edge of the back portion andarranged to extend between the end portions and to rest upon thesupporting beads; and cams mounted upon the inner sides of the endportions adjacent the upper ends of the beads, said cams being arrangedto r be slidably engaged by the top member to guide the same upwardlyand rearwardly to give access to the case when the back portion is swungrearvi'ardly upon its pivot mounting; and means mounted upon the topportion and arranged to the beads and the cams to normally preventpivotal movement of the top independently of the movement by and withthe back portion; and means for locking the hack portion and top membersin closed position.

'4". A r w article of manufacture comprising a show-case guovided withend portions having their upper edges inclined downwardly/ toward thefront of the show case; a baclr portion pivotally mounted at its loweredge upon the show case; a top memliter pivotally connected to the upperedge of the hack portion and arranged to extend between the endportions; beads iuoui'ited upon the ir sides of the end portions to'l'oim supports for the top member; cams mounted upon the inner side;(it the end portions adjacent the upp r ends. of the beads. said camsbeing provided with inwardly extending flanges arranged to be slidablyengaged by the top meinl'ier to guide said n'ien'iber upwardly andrearwai i to give access to the case when the bacn portion is swungrez-uwardly upon its pivot mountin and means mounted upon the b7 topmember and arranger to engage the beads and flanges to normally preventpivotal movement of the top independently of the movement by and withthe hack portioin and to limit-the rearward movement oi the top.

8. A new article of manufacture comprising a show-case provided with endportions having their upper edges inclined downwardlv toward the frontof the show-case:

a back portion pivotally mounted at its iii all)

supports for the top member; cams mounted upon the inner sides of theend portions adjacent the upper ends of the beads said cams beingprovided with inwardly extending flanges longitudinally spaced from theadjacent ends of the beads, said flanges being arranged to be slidablyengaged by the top member to guide said member upwardly and rearwardlyto give access to the case when the back portion is swung rearwardlyupon its pivot mounting; and members secured upon the under side of thetop member and arranged to engage the beads and cams to normally preventpivotal movement of the top member independently of the movement by andwith the back portion and to limit the rearward movement of said top andback portions said members being movable outwardly through the spacebetween the beads and cams to permit the top mem her to be swungoutwardly for cleaning.

9. A new article of manufacture comprising a show-case provided with endportions having their upper edges inclined downwardly toward the frontof the showcase; a back portion pivotally mounted at its lower edge uponthe show-case; a top member pivotally connected to the upper edge of theback portion and arranged to extend between the end portions; beadsmounted upon the inner sides of the end portions to form supports forthe top member, said beads forming acute angles with the front of thecase and arranged to receive a beveled edge formed upon the front edgeof the top member to wedge said top member tightly against the beads andto lock said member against pivotal movementwhen in closed position;cams mounted upon the inner sides of the end portions adjacent the upperends of the beads said cams being provided with inwardly disposedflanges longitudinally spaced from the adjacent ends of the beads andarranged to be slidably engaged by the top member toguide said memberupwardly and rearwardly to give access to the case when the back portionis moved rearwardly upon its pivot mounting; and members secured uponthe under side of the top member and engaging the beads and flanges tonormally prevent pivotal movement of the top member independently of themovement by and with the back portion and to limit the movement of saidtop member.

10. A new article of manufacture comprising a show-case provided withend portions having their upper edges inclined downwardly toward thefront of the showcase; a back portion pivotally mounted at its loweredge upon the show-case; a top iember pivotally connected to the upperedge of the back portion and arranged to extend between the endportions; beads mounted upon the inner sides of the end portions to formsupports for the top member, said beads forming acute angles with thefront of the case and arranged to receive a beveled edge formed upon thefront edge of the top member to wedge said top member tightly againstthe beads and to lock said member against pivotal movement when inclosed position; cams mounted upon the inner sides of the end portionsadjacent the upper ends of the beads, said cams being provided withinwardly disposed flanges longitudinally spaced from the adjacent endsof the beads and arranged to be slidprising a show-case provided withend portions having their upper edges inclined downwardly toward thefront of the showcase; a back portion pivotally mounted at its loweredge upon the show-case; a top member pivotally connected to the upperedge of the back portion and arranged to extend between the endportions; beads mounted upon the inner sides of the end portions to formsupports for the top member said beads forming acute angles with thefront of the case and arranged to receive a beveled edge formed upon thefront edge of the top member to wedge said top member tightly againstthe beads and to lock said member against pivotal movement when inclosed position; cams mounted upon the inner sides of the end portionsadjacent the upper ends of the beads said cams being provided withinwardly disposed flanges longitudinally spaced from the adjacent endsof the beads and arranged to be slidably engaged by the top member toguide saidmember upwardly and rearwardly to give access to the case whenthe back member is moved rearwardly upon its pivot mounting; and memberssecured upon the under sides of the top member and engaging the beadsand flanges to normally prevent pivotal moven'ient of the top memberindependently of the movement by and with the back portion and to limitthe movement of said top member; and a door hingedly mounted in the backportion and arranged to give access to the case from the rear thereofindependently of any movement of the back and top members.

In witness whereof I hereunto set my signature.

JOHN E. MULLEN,

